Comstock Fire chief killed while responding to crash along I-94

Comstock Fire Chief Ed Switalski was killed while responding to a crash along I-94.

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – I-94 is back open this morning after a fatal crash in the eastbound lanes Wednesday night.

Newschannel 3 has confirmed Comstock Fire Chief Ed Switalski was killed while responding to the crash.

Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas tells us Chief Switalski was responding to two crashes in the EB lanes of I-94 near Sprinkle Road. He says after checking in with the first crash, Chief Switalski went to the back of his car to get gear to help a car in the ditch in the second crash. That’s when we are told a driver crashed into him and his car, and he was killed.

Chief Switalski has been the Comstock Fire & Rescue Chief since June of 2013. Before that he worked for decades as a firefighter across the country.

The driver of the car who crashed into the chief was taken to the hospital. There’s no word on that person’s condition.

Undersheriff Matyas tells us weather was a factor in all of the crashes because there were strong storms in the area at the time.

I-94 was closed while crews responded to the crash but it is back open Thursday morning.

Stay with Newschannel 3 as we work to learn more about services for Chief Switalski.